Jaguar rules out SUV but not crossover

Jaguar will resist the urge to join other luxury brands by building an SUV, though the British marque says a crossover-style vehicle is under consideration.

The company’s design and product planning teams are busy working on future models as it continues its product rejuvenation, along with sister company Land Rover, under the stewardship of Indian conglomerate Tata.

In an interview with CarAdvice at the recent 2012 Geneva motor show, Jaguar’s design chief, Ian Callum, ruled out rumours of the company building an SUV but said crucial markets such as the US and China meant the company had no choice but to offer a diverse range of models.

“I don’t think I’ll ever [design] an SUV in my job,” said Callum (pictured below with the new Jaguar XF Sportbrake wagon). “I can categorically say that an SUV as such is out of the question. We have a sister company [Land Rover] that produces the best SUVs in the world.

“An SUV is too utilitarian-like for Jaguar, but maybe there are some grey areas in between we could investigate.”

“Umm, I couldn’t comment on that,” Callum smiled when asked if he had already penned a Jaguar crossover vehicle concept.

“We investigate everything [in terms of product], he says, “because what we know now across the world is that whereas we used to do a motor car that would effectively fit the world market, the luxury market, the world is so diverse now, especially now it’s opened up from America to China.

“Every territory is equally relevant, so you have to think about diversity.

“It’s true we’ve looked at many opportunities [for new vehicle segments] but no decision has been made.”

Rival Italian sports luxury brand Maserati has already confirmed it will build an SUV based on its Kubang concept, while at the 2012 Geneva motor show Bentley caused a stir with its polarising Bentley EXP 9F concept.

Jaguar’s next model will be a compact two-seater sports car based on the 2011 Jaguar CX-16 concept. The company is also considering a model that could enter the 3-Series-size segment.